The role of indigenous healing and medicinal practice in promoting health care delivery service in the Bojanala West Region : the case of Saulspoort Village

Abstract

This study was about establishing the role played by Indigenous Healing and Medicinal Practices in the village of Saulpsoort (Moruleng), in the Bojanala West Region, North West Province in South Africa. The ultimate intention was to find proper ways, based on research evidence, of making the African Art of Healing and Medicines more accessible and acceptable for use by all in the region. The successful implementation of this move would ensure that the African Healing Traditions are not only officially recognised by current government systems , but also no longer seen as alternative Medicinal Practices next to western orthodox traditions. On completion of the investigation, the following critical findings were made: ■ That the overwhelming majority of the residents of the Bojanala West region still support, use and almost entirely depend on Traditional Healing Practices for their health care needs; • That the practices followed and applied by Traditional healers are authentic and capable of curing a vast variety of diseases some of which are not known by western medicinal practioners. Ultimately, the following recommendations were also made: o Traditional Healing Practices should be looked at independent of other Healing practices for them to be properly realised as authentic, effective and reliable to use for curing diseases without any danger; o All practising Traditional healers should be properly registered with a body that is officially recognised and legally empowered by the · government; o All useful Traditional Medicines should be registered and licensed.